Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Basics: Award-winning architect Zoltan Pali of SPF:architects has led the design of The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Construction of the center’s theater space is set to begin in April. Pali’s preservation of the historic Beverly Hills Post Office and design of the adjoining contemporary Goldsmith Theatre have already garnered accolades and prestigious architectural awards, prior to the proposed 2013 opening. Before finding SPF:architects with partner Judith Meda Fekete, Pali’s projects included the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel renovation, the Santa Monica Museum of Flying, and DC-3 Restaurant. The architect’s passion for progressive design coupled with his respect for historic preservation has led to his role in the Greek Theater Renovation and Expansion, the Getty Villa Museum renovation, and the Historic Preservation of the Hollywood Pantages Theater.

The Details: Zoltan Pali has been described in The Los Angeles Times as a master at accomodating dwellings to L.A.’s often steep or difficult topography. A modernist, he encompasses expansive glass and clean planes in his designs, exemplied in this Hollywood Hills home. Listed at $13.7 M, the 4 bedroom, 7 bath home encompasses sweeping views from downtown L.A. to the Pacific beaches.

A dramatic wall of silver travertine crosses the entire length of the home which was built in 2010.

The Bottom Line: Starchitect Zoltan Pali is front page news with his design of The Wallis Annenberg Cultural Center. As we say in L.A., you’ll be “just half an hour away” from this fabulous venue, to include a 500-seat theatre, 150-seat studio theatre/rehearsal hall, classrooms, a cafe, gift shop, and sculpture garden. What’s not to like?